MPAA, Movie theaters ban wearable tech, but guns are ok

Google Glass banned in movie theaters

It's ok to bring guns into a theater but wearable tech can now send you directly to jail. While the fight for piracy goes on, the fight to increase public safety nationwide in movie theaters isn't even happening.

After past tragedies some movie theaters have imposed bans on guns being brought into movie screenings, but there is no industry motion to encourage theater owners to ban guns outright at public screenings.

Some may argue that banning guns in theaters would violate their human rights, others would say why need them?

In a hypothetical situation, a shootout in a movie theater would cause significant collateral damage (civilian deaths). The close proximity of people sitting in a dark room exacerbates the risk of being caught in a crossfire. Why bring guns into the equation when men, women, and children can be killed just by being so close to the confrontation?

Now take a look at a real situation. A tragedy like Aurora where over 50 people get injured and 12 people are killed by one man is a painful reminder that there are individuals in American society today that have the capacity to kill and strike in public places.

A movie theater is an enclosed space, and when the movie begins to play, it's dark. If one person has a gun and wants to use it, even if people scramble to get out the theater, many could get killed.

My argument would be that it is up to movie theaters to ensure public safety once people walk thru the doors. By all means have armed police offers in the building but don't let the public have guns too, that's a recipe for disaster, and it may happen again.

Back to the issue of piracy, bringing recording equipment in any form into a theater to copy and exploit a film is wrong and should be banned, but when I see the commitment for tough action in this regard, and no appetite to tackle public safety in another, I'm quite disappointed.

Theater owners are not punishing people by banning guns on their premises. People pay good money to see films and their safety should also be upheld by good security protocols.

MPAA Statement regarding wearable tech use

"As part of our continued efforts to ensure movies are not recorded in theaters, however, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward using any recording device while movies are being shown. As has been our long-standing policy, all phones must be silenced and other recording devices, including wearable devices, must be turned off and put away at show time. Individuals who fail or refuse to put the recording devices away may be asked to leave. If theater managers have indications that illegal recording activity is taking place, they will alert law enforcement authorities when appropriate, who will determine what further action should be taken."

Full statement on MPAA website